Diskominfotik: In Digital Era, Technology is Important to Help People Access Public Information

The Jakarta Communications, Informatics, and Statistics Agency (Diskominfotik) and Jakarta Information Commission (KI) held a Jakarta Public Information Disclosure Webinar themed Public Information Accessibility in the Digital Era for the General Public and People with Disabilities.

Digitalization of public information is the main focus as a strategic option by public bodies

It was attended by representatives from the Regional Apparatus PPID; City and Regency Administration PPID; Sub-district PPID; Urban Village PPID; Regional General Hospital (RSUD) PPID; Regional-Owned Enterprises PPID (BUMD); public institutions/agencies in Jakarta; NGOs/mass organization; students/academics; disability communities; and the public.

There were several speakers in the meeting, namely Jakarta Information Commission Nelvia Gustina; Public Relations Coordinator (Intermediate Public Relations Institution) Moh. Arief Cahyono, and Indonesia Public Institute Karyono Wibowo.

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Kominfotik Agency Head Atika Nur Rahmania said a report at the United Nations stated that freedom of information is one of the most important human rights.

If it was not effective, one would not have access to the information. This is is a basic need for democratic life. That's why the tendency to keep information from the public should be taken into account.

In this regard, technology is very important to help the public in accessing public information.

“Digitalization of public information is the main focus as a strategic option by public bodies to provide information services to the public and persons with disabilities. As a result, it will increase public participation in government policies," she explained, Thursday (7/21).

In the case of management and public information services, Jakarta continues to innovate and open the widest possible access in providing data and information to the public.

One of them is by providing access to online-based information services or mobile apps that can facilitate the public to apply for public information.

She assessed the development of information facilities such as social media is now also being used by the Jakarta administration in disseminating public information in the digital era.

"With more advanced technology, it will optimize the realization of good, clean, effective, democratic, and reliable governance. The critical power of the community towards the performance of government administration is also increasing," she added.

According to her, the convenience obtained when providing information services is important for the convenience of the public in obtaining information.

"Through this webinar, hope participants can understand that digitizing information will facilitate the public to access public information," he hoped.

KI Chairman Harry Ara Hutabarat uttered information is important for democracies to mainstream information disclosure and transparency.

Today's webinar is a momentum of togetherness in proving that Public Information Disclosure is something that must be fought for.

He thought that the guarantee of the right to information must be understood fundamentally, especially in public bodies which must disseminate information to the public.

"In Information Commission Regulation number 1/2021 on Standards for Public Information Services, it has been regulated that they (public bodies) must pay attention to the accessibility of persons with disabilities in the implementation of public information services," he explained.

In the era of digitalization, they need to pay attention to aspects of justice and equal rights for every element of society. Moreover, Disability Awareness needed to establish an inclusive ecosystem for persons with disabilities to have access to information.

It is a challenge and a hope for public bodies to increase their capacity in providing the best public information services.

Therefore, he hoped that the webinar with specific themes like today could become a new agenda in the future and become a momentum to emphasize that the implementation of Law number 14/2008 on Openness of Public Information is the moral responsibility of the nation's children.

"All citizens have the same rights in accessing information," he stressed.